Cheap Cayenne-V6 or V8?

[ack0]

Looking at getting a cheap (sub £8K) Cayenne as the utility vehicle.

Reliability and big bill avoidance are the key requirements so any strong views if the V6 or V8 are the ones to go for?

I know about the coolant pipe on the V8 which is an issue but not sure about anything else.

Assume that avoiding air suspension is a good idea at this age??

Any experiences/advice welcome
Thanks

[PH01]

Air suspension is as cheap as chips to fix, if it ever goes wrong ! Don't discount it, it really does transform the car.

[jonobigblind]

You might find you’re sorely disappointed with the V6. It’s slow and has around the same thirst as the V8.

Plenty to go wrong on them so just buy sensibly having found one that’s been looked after. Be prepared to get your hands dirty to keep the ongoing cost down and just enjoy it.

Great space, plenty of waft with the air suspension and the V8 sounds pretty good (even better with a £20 fix in the exhaust).

Just make sure you clear the drains when you pick it up - a very easy job to do.

[Cloudy147]

Pretty sure the V8 has that typical Porsche reputation of the 2005 era (made of chocolate). V6 is vW engine and more reliable.

2009 models might be better, but don't know much about them.

I've owned my 2005 V6 nearly 5 years, has been fantastic. Engine does need working though if you want anything speedy to happen, including overtaking - gearbox is a bit dumb. I'm used to it though, but it won't be for everyone. Definately test drive.

[tr7v8]

I wrote this a week or so ago:- V6 is as thirsty as a V8 & struggles with the weight. Also not as bulletproof as you'd think.
Had a 2005 Cayenne V8S for 3 years now. Very high spec car. Bought at 88K now on 125K. In that time its had front brakes, discs & pads were £300 from Halfords & 80 quid to a mechanic mate to change them. One major & two minor services at an OPC plus a brake fluid change. Also had all the fluids changed, gear box, both diffs, transfer box. Had a header tank early this year (weak spot).as well as a set of tailgate struts )another weak spot)
Just been serviced again with oil & filters but by my mechanic again as fallen out with OPC.
Bore issues on the V8 are rare I run Comma Motorsport 15W/50 instead of the Mobil1 dishwater. Service intervals officially are every 2 years but I do it yearly/.
It had a new set of summers when I bought it 19" Vredestein Vorti 275/40 x 19" Its had one set of winters last year which are on 18" Dunlop Sport 5 Winters. Neither are N rated. Both have loads of tread left. It also had a geo check when the summers went on & it was miles out.
Only bit that is broken at the mo is the panoramic sunroof which is dead silent. It failed at the end of last year & haven't had it looked at yet.
Weak spots are plastic water pipes under the V which Porsche kit replaces with aluminium, a pair of plastic Tees at the back of the block which you can get aftermarket metal ones for. And carden or propshafts where the centre bearing diaphram breaks up. There s a cheaper fix than a new prop.
You must keep the bulkhead drains, behind the front wheel arch liners clear otherwise it floods the interior & knackers the wiring, this can write a car off.
Great Facebook group for all Cayennes, plenty mainly in the US with 200K plus & some with 300K plus. V6 is quite stressed as it struggles with 2T plus so not really cheaper to run as people think.
The Turbo is great but expensive to run, Turbo S brakes are very expensive. The V8S is 340BHP & will leave a lot of cars for dead & it's handling is better than a 2+T car should be.

[ack0]

Thanks everyone-much appreciated